Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

THE PAINS OF MEMORY.

From Mr. Merry's Poem.

As the proud vessel o'er the ocean glides,
And seems to scorn the winds and mock the tides,
The jocund Mariners expand the sail,
To seize the vigour of the viewless gale:
From the high shrouds their caroll'd ditties rise,
To many a favourite maid, the notes of praise!
But now more sullen blows the perilous blast,
Unsparing tempests work the struggling mast;
A moment lulls--and from the treacherous pause
Fresh horror gains, and fiercer fury draws!
In vain the pilot shuns the o'erwhelming wave,
Unless the caution--for no skill can save!
The timbers crack, the rudder quits its hold,
At random here and there the ship is roll'd.
Then comes the fiend of memory to dispense
Among the crew affliction's keener sense:
Dwells on each tender tie they left behind,
Grapples the soul, and preys upon the mind!
Shows the lorn wife distracted at their fate,
The weeping Orphan's unprotected state;
Tells of the plighted Virgin's ceaseless moan,
The faithful Friend's dismay, the Parent's groan,
--And as to endless darkness down they go,
Clings to the last, and leaves the latest woe!